9 Summer Car Tips to Beat The Heat

Summer surely is a great time for fun. Outdoor activities abound and families often take this opportunity to hit the road for a long trip. This is the time of the year that vacation travel is at its peak. According to AAA (Approved Auto Repair) 40 million people traveled for the 4th of July event, just for this year alone.

Needless to say, there are more people bound to drive their cars to auto repair shops for breakdowns and other car issues due to improper maintenance. So if you have plans for a long travel on the road, it is best to make the necessary preparations ahead of time.

According to Car Care Council, the common car issues are found in the cooling system, tires, and batteries. Therefore, deliberately keep an eye on these three items of your car to ensure safety and smooth driving performance all throughout your travel.

However, do not neglect to check on the following as well as they are tantamount to the safety and maintenance of your car: brakes, air conditioning, belts and hoses, windshield wipes, filters and fluids.

Cooling System

It is during this time that cars overheating are bountiful. To avoid getting into such trouble, always check the water level of your water radiator. Make sure to fill it with coolant and water, equally measured. Take this chance to check on the hoses as well. In case you experience overheat while on the road, remember not to open the radiator cap while the engine is hot. Doing so can cause serious burn to the person.  Always fill from the overflow container.

Tires

Getting a new set of tires is best. However, buying one every time you take a trip is not practical at all. Hence, it is also suggested that every car owner must know how to determine when it is time to replace an old worn out tire , but having a great relationship with you local tire repair shop can take all the guesses out of your tire safety.

To check your tire, bring out a penny, with the head side down and place it between the treads. If you can clearly see the head, I’m sorry but it is time for you to shop for a new set of tires.

Next is to check on the tire inflation level. You must use a tire pressure gauge to get the correct pressure as recommended in your manual or door plaque. Improper inflation or tire pressure level can cause havoc especially when driving  at a fast speed. Over inflated on the other hand is also not safe, as it can cause hydroplaning on wet pavement. with the combination of worn tires with no tread to grab the road.  Rotate, Inflate & Evaluate!

Brakes

Brakes are also important to your safety. Long drive or not, brakes should be checked regularly. Most cars have built-in indicators on the brake pad. The moment  you hear a high squeal, this is a signal to have the brakes looked at, delaying  can cause more monies that could have been a simple repair.

For cars that do not have sensors, you need to trust your hearing ability & the feel of your brake pedal.  If brake pads are completely worn out, normally you will hear grinding and squeaky sounds. Cleaning the brakes may eliminate noises, but if the noise continues to exist you should have it checked right away and get it replaced by your professional.

Batteries

Excessive heat depletes the water in your battery. Good thing today’s batteries are maintenance-free and completely sealed. But if you own an unsealed battery, checking the water level is necessary, remember to top it off with distilled water.

Windshield Wipes

Windshield wipers must be in tip top condition especially during summer. Summer rainstorms is dangerous when driving around with worn out windshield wipers. Take into consideration the winter season which might have taken its toll on your wipers. Don't  take any chances, scratching of your windshield will cost you more than a pair of wipers.

Belts and Hoses

It is best to follow the recommended mileage intervals in changing belts and hoses. This could save you from getting stranded in the middle of nowhere while on a long trip under the scorching heat of the summer.  Extreme heat areas will wear quicker the rubber in drying them out and cracking.  These are visual items you can check  for yourself, rubber should be pliable not stiff.

Fluids

Always keep fluids at its proper level especially your vehicle’s oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant to avoid expensive repairs.

Filters

Changing your oil and air filters regularly gives better gas mileage saving you money especially during summer when prices goes up. Plus, it allows you to enjoy a smooth driving performance making long trips comfortable despite summer heat.

A/C Check-Up 

                                                  

Summer heat can cause excessive sweating, irritation, inconvenience and more. Well-maintained air-conditioning system makes traffic or long driving easy and convenient.

Image Source: mwanasimba

                          firststoptyres

                         The Tire Zoo

                         Emma Watson

                         David Swink

                         David Harrington

                         6mt

                         hoganandsonsinc

                          

                         

12 Steps on How to Care For Your Car Battery During Summer

Batteries should be check and maintained not only during winter months but also during summer days. Actually, summer heat is more detrimental to your battery than cold temperatures. Unfortunately, only a few people know about this fact.

The truth is, the strength of the batteries lessens when the mercury rises. With 95˚ F temperature plus under the hood temperature will definitely cause corrosion to your batteries. Bear in mind that heat causes evaporation, thus depleting fluid out of your battery resulting to the breakdown of battery grids.

Batteries are very important for your vehicle to start that is why it is necessary (for car owners especially) to learn about the proper steps on how to take care of your battery especially during summer.

What is an automotive battery?

An automotive battery is also known as an automotive SLI battery (starting, lighting, ignition ). These batteries are rechargeable types of batteries. They are needed to start your engine, give power to the lightings and the ignitions of your car. Battery maintenance is vital to assure that there will be no problems caused by battery related issues.

The Importance of Proper Battery Maintenance

Proper battery maintenance is very significant especially when you are traveling a lot. Make sure that your batteries are in good condition before you decide to bring it for a long drive. Check the poles and terminals , the loose connections and the electrolyte level.

Steps On How To Properly Care For Your Battery

1.    Know the type of battery you have to be knowledgeable of the proper care it needs to keep it in good condition. It is not advisable to play around with your battery. Remember that proper maintenance helps prolong the life of the battery, and knowing how to safely clean them is a big help. There are indicator lights inside your vehicle that tells you of its status. You must be able to understand what the indicators mean to know what it is trying to tell you to avoid getting damage.

2.    To prevent batteries from being discharged especially when not in use or stored for quite some time, it is highly recommended that you should disconnect it from any connections and remove the battery in your car. Put it on top of a wooden table or on anything wooden. Don’t leave it on the ground or floor as it could also cause the discharged. You might be surprise that your car would not start even if it was working fine before you stored your car in the garage. We recommend a trickle charger that can be picked up for a nominal fee at any automotive parts store.  This will assure  a start for you when you hook up your battery again.

3.    Batteries should be kept away from direct contact or exposure to heat. If your batteries are exposed to too much heat, this can cause your batteries to explode or get damaged. If you read the precaution notice on the battery, you will know which to avoid.

4.    In recharging your batteries, see to it that the charger is compatible with the configuration of your batteries to avoid certain problems that might occur. There are many battery chargers that you can choose from and purchase. To be certain, ask the opinions from experts on this field in your area. Skilled auto electricians can help you with this.

5.    Heat can hasten the presence of internal battery corrosion. Therefore it is vital to clean your battery and get rid of any possible formation of corrosion, lead oxidation and rust by using  a brass brush or scouring pad. Make sure that these chemicals are taken off before it causes damage to your battery.

6.    For batteries with filler caps, make sure to perform regular checking of the water levels and refill each cell with water when needed.

7.    To prevent sulfation and reduction of internal battery explosion possibility, make sure that battery plates are filled with the correct level of fluid.

8.    Do not use tap water to as a replacement to distilled water when the level is low.

9.    Do not overfill the plates as well especially during hot weather. Keep in mind that heat can cause the solution to expand and will surely result to an overflow of liquid which can also cause damage to your battery.

10. Make sure to inspect your battery from time to time for any cracking or leaking or bulging of the case. Once you see signs of the following, be aware that battery replacement is already needed.

11. Cold and warm weather have opposite effects on batteries so you have to be observant. It affects the discharge and charging of your batteries. Though you may not notice it if you are not going to check it out. Try to prevent adding excessive amount of electrolytes during a warm weather because the heat can cause it to overflow.

12. It is very much recommended to have your batteries tested or checked every three to six months and especially when you are planning to take a long trip. Bring it to a trusted auto repair shop and have an auto electrician look at it for you to be aware of how much longer your car battery can go. It is very important to know your battery life to avoid problems later on.   In severe hot climates, even a “lifetime battery “ may only have 35 months of charge.

Image Source: nikipaniki

                         Rock and Roll Auto Recycling

                          Malcolm Calder                          Rick Benson
                          Steven Erdmancayk Jr.